Student Reflections and Recap: Meet Misty Swimmer
We were fortunate to have students from Mount Royal University join us for this event. As a professional development opportunity, students also created recaps of the various components of the event.
Misty, an International Business student at Mount Royal University, shares her insights on the Calgary Chamber’s Alberta Next: Transportation & Logistics event.
Note: These reflections and recaps were independently created by student guests and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Calgary Chamber.
On November 13, the Calgary Chamber hosted Transportation & Logistics, the third and final installment of the Chamber’s Alberta Next series in 2025. The session brought together industry leaders and policymakers for an afternoon of discussions on Alberta’s changing transportation and logistics sector.
The session began with a keynote speech from Paul Smith, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors at the Government of Alberta. The Deputy Minister outlined key transportation priorities, including a provincial passenger rail strategy, completion of Calgary’s Blue Line and Green Line LRT projects, and overall expansion and maintenance of highway and bridge infrastructure – among other priorities. The Deputy Minister also emphasized the importance of interprovincial trade relations and strengthening Alberta’s regulatory environment.
The Deputy Minister’s keynote was followed by a fireside chat with Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber. In their conversation, Deputy Minister Smith elaborated on the priorities addressed in his keynote, including:
- Alberta’s Passenger Rail Strategy and current links under review, particularly Calgary to Banff and Calgary to Edmonton
- Maximizing private sector involvement in provincial infrastructure investments
- Increasing Calgary’s competitiveness and tourism economy with a rail link connecting the airport to downtown
Bottlenecks and Breakthroughs: Navigating Alberta’s Shifting Logistics Landscape
The first panel discussion of the afternoon was moderated by Cynthia Clark, Founder and President of the Women in Supply Chain Association.
The panelists included:
- Dr. Sarah Flick, Head of Supply Chain and Logistics at Lufthansa Technik Canada
- Robert Harper, President of the Alberta Motor Transport Association
Alberta’s logistics landscape is facing a series of challenges related to labour shortages, regulatory uncertainties and cost pressures. This panel addressed these uncertainties and how industry leaders are building resilience and strengthening resources. The panel discussed solutions including:
- Building operational efficiency despite growing operational pressures
- Attracting talent and scaling our workforce, and working with post-secondary institutions to train the next generation of workers
- Building resiliency in SMEs and larger corporations, and working with all levels of government to strengthen supply chains
Routes Reimagined: Building Alberta’s Future of Mobility
The final panel of the afternoon was moderated by Ruhee Ismail-Teja, Vice President of Policy and External Affairs at the Calgary Chamber.
The panelists included:
- Dimitri (Jim) Leonidas, Project Director of Green Line LRT at AtkinsRealis
- Julius Mooney, Director of WestJet Cargo
- Oyin Shyllon, Corporate Lead for the Prairie Economic Gateway project at the City of Calgary
Alberta’s transportation sector continues to innovate and create new opportunities for growth, despite rapid shifts in technology and mobility. This panel explored the evolution taking place across the transportation landscape and how companies are adapting to emerging technologies and changing mobility patterns. Topics included:
- Incorporating emerging technologies into operations across various modes of transportation and transportation infrastructure
- Expanding Calgary’s connectivity and cargo networks through the airport, inland port, and other projects, establishing Calgary as a major logistics hub
- Creating long-term economic opportunities for all sectors, through both cargo and passenger transportation infrastructure
The Calgary Chamber extends sincere thanks to our sponsors for their support in making this event possible: Our Presenting Sponsor, WestJet, and our Supporting Sponsor, Air Canada.
